Sultan of Selangor: 'Allah' exclusive to Muslims

By Mazlinda Mahmood and Alang Bendahara
New Straits Times
Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013

SHAH ALAM - Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has issued a decree that the word "Allah" is a holy word exclusive for Muslims and can never be used by religions other than Islam in Selangor.

The Selangor Islamic Religious Council (Mais) said the sultan has expressed his shock and regret over a recent statement by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng urging the government to allow all Malay Bibles to use the word"Allah".

Mais secretary Datuk Mohd Misri Idris said following Lim's call, which received wide coverage in the media, the sultan of Selangor called for a special meeting with several Mais members, Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid and Mais and Selangor Islamic Religious Department's (Jais) top officials on Sunday.

Misri said the sultan expressed regret that his decree on the word "Allah" was taken lightly by certain quarters resulting in the same issue resurfacing after three years.

"The sultan has issued the same decree with regard to the use of the word 'Allah' three years ago when this issue was first brought up.

"He regretted deeply that his decree was taken lightly by certain quarters and the same issue was raised again," said Misri in a statement yesterday.

Therefore, the sultan commanded Mais and Jais to take strict action against anyone, whether non-Muslim or Muslims who still questioned or belittled the Fatwa which had been issued on this matter in accordance with the existing law in Selangor, he said.

The sultan has also ordered that non-Muslims should not interfere with matters concerning Islam to prevent hostility and misunderstanding among the races in the country.

"Furthermore, the sultan decreed that any party is strictly forbidden from exploiting Islam for political gains as it will bring destruction to the peace and harmony enjoyed by the people of various faiths in the country."

Misri reminded that in Selangor, there was already a law enacted by the state assembly in April 1988 and implemented in July the same year regarding the regulation of the use of the word "Allah" and this enactment clearly prohibited non-Muslims from using the word.

"The Selangor Non-Islamic Religions (Control of Propagation amongst Muslims) Enactment 1988 was created in line with Article 11 (4) of the Federal Constitution.

"Section 9 of this enactment clearly prohibits the word 'Allah' from being used by non-Muslims in any matter relating to their religion.